Arsenal will host Everton at the Emirates Stadium in a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon.
Mikel Arteta needs his side to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, after they were held to a draw by Fulham last time out in the competition.
Since that stalemate at Craven Cottage, though, Arsenal have beaten Monaco convincingly in the Champions League, so they ought to be full of confidence heading into this encounter with the Toffees.
Arteta will also be able to welcome back at least one player from the treatment table for this fixture. Arsenal have endured a defensive injury crisis recently, but things are now beginning to gradually improve on that front.
Arsenal team and injury news including Gabriel return
It is hoped that Gabriel Magalhaes will be fit to face Everton. The Brazilian centre-back has missed the last couple of games, meaning that Jakub Kiwior has had to fill in in the heart of the Arsenal rearguard.
The Poland international has generally done a good job, but the partnership between Gabriel and William Saliba is so effective that the injured defender has still been missed.
Meanwhile, Arteta is keen not to rush Riccardo Calafiori back into action, as he is conscious that the Italian defender could aggravate his injury if he isn’t given time to fully heal.
Likewise, Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to remain sidelined, and Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both still out of action.
Mikel Arteta’s hint at Myles Lewis-Skelly start
With Calafiori, Zinchenko, and Tomiyasu all injured, Arteta has a decision to make when it comes to his starting left-back.
Kieran Tierney could be in line for a shock Arsenal return, or Kiwior could be pushed out wide with Gabriel now back in the team.
However, after he impressed on his first Champions League start vs Monaco, Myles Lewis-Skelly deserves to keep his place in the starting XI.
The 18-year-old Hale End academy gem was composed and mature with his play against the French outfit and is clearly ready for more game time at the highest level.
Arteta also hinted that Lewis-Skelly might start against Everton by taking him off around the hour mark on Wednesday night, meaning he’ll be fresh this weekend.
Arsenal predicted XI vs Everton
Arteta was able to field a midfield trio of Delcan Rice, Mikel Merino, and Martin Odegaard against Monaco. Arsenal fans got their wish with Rice playing deeper, whilst Merino grew into the game alongside Odegaard.
There should be no need to break this triumvirate up in the middle of the park, meaning that Thomas Partey can drop to the bench as he is no longer required at right-back, with Jurrien Timber having proven his fitness against Monaco.
David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino; Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz.
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